Superconducting Properties of V—Si and V—Ga Diffusion Coatings

Abstract

The effect of diffusion-annealing time and temperature, the amounts of Si and Ga reacting, and other conditions on the phase composition, quality, thickness, and superconducting properties of V-Si and V-Ga coatings obtained by the diffusion of Si or Ga from the vapor phase into a vanadium wire is considered. The optimum conditions for obtaining such coatings are indicated. The best superconducting properties are achieved for single-phase coatings consisting almost entirely of V3Sn or V3Ga. The superconducting transformation temperature of V-Si coatings reaches 17°K and that of V-Ga coatings exceeds 14°K. The critical current density is 1 • 104 to 6 • 105A /cm2 at 26 kOe.